Millersburg man denies assaulting girlfriend

Saturday

Feb 4, 2017 at 5:00 AM

By CHRISTINE L. PRATT Staff Writer

MILLERSBURG -- A Millersburg man on Tuesday denied criminal charges he assaulted his girlfriend at their residence.

Cody Morris, 28, of 863 Massillon Road, Lot 2, pleaded not guilty to domestic violence and endangering children. The domestic violence charge is made a fourth-degree felony because Morris previously -- on July 15, 2014 -- was convicted in Holmes County Municipal Court of domestic violence.

If convicted, Morris faces up to 18 months in prison.

Millersburg Police were called to the residence on Dec. 13, at which time Morris and his girlfriend denied there was a problem; however, the following day the woman reported to Holmes County Job and Family Services that she had been assaulted.

According to her, Morris assaulted her while she was lying in bed because she refused to comply with his sexual advances, according to Patrolman Jeff Lay, who said the woman reported Morris grabbed her by the arm and hair and pulled her out of the bed and into the living room.

At the time, there were three children -- ages 5 years, 3 years and 7 months -- in the home, according to Lay.

When questioned by police, Morris denied the allegations.

Morris remains incarcerated in the Holmes County Jail, with bond set at $25,000; however, Judge Robert Rinfret said he would consider reducing bond, which will continue to have attached to it an order preventing him from having contact with the victim.

Morris is next scheduled to appear in court for a March 13 pretrial conference. A jury trial is scheduled for May 22.

Reporter Christine Pratt can be reached at 330-674-5676 or cpratt@the-daily-record.com.